In Defence of Ballet Alexandra Kolb Women, Agency and the Philosophy of Pleasure

RESUMEN: This article a novel approach to conceptualising ballet pactise as a leisurely activity that exudes pleasure. It argues that the notion of pleasure in ballet has been neglected in scholarby research which criticises ballet for its negative impact on the physical and mental health of dancers, its authoritarian teaching methods and its trivial aesthetic that objectifies the female body and perpetuates the construction of stereotypical gender roles within a patriarchal society. This study focuses on the lived experiences of female amateur ballet participants, emphasising their agency. It provides first hand accounts to illuminate the significance of ballet in women dancer´s personal growth, development and psychological wellbeing, drawing on sociologist Roger Caillois´s categorisation of pleasures associated with ballet dancing as a key motivational factor and rationale for participation.